smoky

adjective

ˈsmō-kē 

variants or less commonly smokey

smokier; smokiest

1

: emitting smoke especially in large quantities

a smoky fireplace

2

a

: having the characteristics of or resembling smoke

a smoky haze

b

: suggestive of smoke especially in flavor or odor

3

a

: filled with smoke

a smoky room

b

: made dark or black by or as if by smoke

4

: having a low throaty quality

a smoky voice

smokily

ˈsmō-kə-lē 

adverb

smokiness

ˈsmō-kē-nəs 

noun

Examples of smoky in a Sentence

Her dress was a smoky blue.

Her smoky voice drew me in.

She gave him a smoky look.

Recent Examples on the Web

This smoky interpretation, with black and a silver cat-eye shift, looks as luxurious as its namesake. —Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026

In modern times, Australians have taken the lead in the war against smoky taste. —Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026

The rest of her glam was pretty signature—grungy smoky eyes and a glossed nude lip, with a nude manicure to let her engagement ring take center stage. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2026

Tender, creamy gold potatoes swim in a rich, buttery sauce along with soft green beans, sweet onions, and smoky sausage. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing smoky

• smoky quartz
• smoky topaz

Rhymes for smoky

• cloche
• gnocchi
• loci
• pokey
• smokey
• karaoke

Kids Definition

smoky

adjective

variants also smokey

ˈsmō-kē 

smokier; smokiest

1

: giving off smoke especially in large quantities

smoky stoves

2

: resembling or suggestive of smoke

a smoky flavor

3

: filled with or darkened by smoke

a smoky room

smokily

-kə-lē 

adverb

smokiness

-kē-nəs 

noun